After a week in California, I have to admit, it was a little difficult coming home and I had not expected that... not because I don't have fabulous friends here but because have you ever met a group of people that you immediately fell in love with and knew God interwove your hearts before you ever met!? Me too and it's incredible! He did that with the women I spent my time with out there, so it tugged at my heart strings to leave them (and as I'm keeping it real... it's getting colder here... and I am no winter woman, ha) but really, it was such a great opportunity to be around like-minded woman seeking Christ to be the C.E.O. of their businesses and our lives! I don't know about you but that get's me excited!

After sharing a little bit about myself, my chapter "Live Loved" and why I set the intention to live and experience "The Art of L.I.F.E." I shared a little bit about how I got there. I had planned to share more about my chapter but God laid it on my heart during my flight the day before to change all that and share this instead. I never expected this story to impact the women like it did but since there's something about this that He used to ignite vision in women's hearts, I am going to share it here with you as well!

I wish I could read this to you... and who knows I may just do my first vlog (can we say vulnerable!?)....... Edit: I did my first vlog just for you & this message! Ahhhh!!!!! So here it is... (scroll to the bottom of this post)

When God brought me this opportunity last spring, it made no worldly sense at all because you see when I had the surgery & got readmitted which is what I write about, I didn't leave there well or healed... and have seen many doctors & specialists since... been poked, prodded & tested all over because no one has an answer to the trouble I am now having (which I did not have before my surgery)... since Dec of 2013 I have had painful restroom emergencies nearly every. single. day. usually several times a day... As you can imagine this has greatly impacted the quality of my life.

My new friend Shannon who said YES from the pit!

I tell you this because I said YES. from. the. Pit! You see when God brings you something packaged in His peace, no matter if it makes sense or not... sister, please say. Yes! Had I not known how truly loved and cared for I was, this decision would have been much more difficult.

Fast forward to 2 weeks or so ago (before the event), the enemy kept telling me to cancel my flight and bail... because like every other day for the last ...over 634 days... I have gotten sick. Real sick. Ya know what though!?... I didn't entertain these thoughts. BUT...

I DID have to process through some shock that God had not yet healed me... as I was so sure in my faith was His plan when I said yes to this and another opportunity last spring. I didn't seek these out, He opened the doors for me so it was hard to grasp that He was sending me all the way out there... still... sick...

But again... I chose to move forward and shared with others that I had to trust that by the time my feet hit the ground at the airport, either here or there, that I would be healed.

Well, making a long story short, let me tell you....

That for the last 16 days straight my intestinal health has dramatically improved!!!! (I'll spare you the icky details, but let me tell you... this. is. miraculous!) I'm not completely out of the pit but God's got me! Say Yes from the pit ladies.

Say yes to slowing down when your spouse or kids are around even though your phone is flashing with all sorts of notifications, say yes to boundaries that protect your time even though you need that client, say yes to that big leap of faith God is asking you to take even though it'll cost you everything if it doesn't work out.

If you walk away from anything today I hope it is to know that God hears you, God sees you
and God KNOWS YOU! You are Loved! We are loved! Let's live like it! With an abandoned trust that God WILL take care of us! This looks like.... being Free of insecurities, free of unforgiveness, free to be present, free to say no to the good for the best God has for us!!

Wow!!! I'm so happy to see,hear and read this. I definitely feel more assured that He hears me even if I don't feel heard. I know He loves us so much we can't possibly imagine the amount. Thanks for sharing Alicia that was wonderful!!!

Reply

Alicia Renee Todd (A.R.T.)

10/7/2015 10:05:15 pm

I'm so glad this blessed you so!!

Reply

trenity marschel

10/9/2015 03:47:27 pm

Absoutly moving ...I needed to hear this at this very moment..thank you so much for sharing

Reply

Alicia Renee Todd (A.R.T.)

10/10/2015 01:09:51 am

I love God's timing on this... we showed this Tuesday night & then elaborated on it, so now you are all caught up :D. Thankful it blessed you right when YOU needed it!! See you Tues... have a great weekend ♡